President Biden's 'Build Back Better' plan is running into conflict on Capitol Hill.
Democrats’ plan to enact an ambitious remodel of the nation’s social safety net programs is facing new hurdles on Capitol Hill amid deep divisions over the scope of the package, its cost and what can be included under the Senate’s stringent rules.
“We’re at the moment of truth here, and the clock’s ticking and we’ve got to find a way to get everybody on the same page,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen after Senate Democrats huddled behind closed doors Tuesday.He and other senators said Democrats weren’t yet trying to hash out policy differences. Their meeting was about getting Democrats to understand the need to come together.
Though he previously encouraged fellow Democrats to fight for what they wanted, he said they should now prepare to unite around the final version. “If we can agree on the programs, then we can talk about how much money we’re going to put in each of the items. But that is, to me, one of the major things we’ve got to nail down, and we’re not quite there yet,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono .
Rep. Pramila Jayapal , leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said she reiterated her group’s position to Pelosi on Tuesday and predicted the vote would be delayed. Rep. Josh Gottheimer , a leader of the centrist faction, separately said leaders assured him the vote would be held as scheduled.
“We must be prepared for adjustments according to the Byrd rule and an agreed to” price tag, Pelosi wrote to fellow Democrats.But as House Democrats wait, Senate Democrats appear no closer to coming to consensus. Sens. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona have been the most outspoken centrists with concerns about the bill. But they are not alone.
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